JENNIFER TOWNLEY

Dutch artist Jennifer Townley qualified with a degree in art from the Royal Academy of Fine Art in The Hague in 2008 and has been working as an independent artist ever since, specialised in conceiving mechanical sculptures that move very slowly.

Townley's kinetic sculptures, created with meticulous attention to detail, generate repetitive movements and changing patterns designed to subtly interfere with the spectator's own patterns of thought. Her art features shapes and forms with constantly evolving patterns that are continually being distorted and transformed, the motions notable for their tranquillity.

Townley's art derives from her fascination with science, with an emphasis on physics, engineering, and mathematics. She is inspired by geometric patterns and the mathematical sketches of M. C. Escher.

Captivated by how machines can convert relatively simple circular motions into quite complex nonlinear and chaotic patterns, she finds the robustness and apparent immortality of mechanical machines fascinating.

PERPETUAL TRANSIENCE II

The MB&F M.A.D.Gallery begins a new chapter with its relocation to Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall, the world's most visited shopping and entertainment destination.

The new gallery houses pieces from the universe of mechanical and kinetic art, including works by both Middle Eastern and international artists.

As part of the launch and for the premiere exhibition in the new space, the MB&F M.A.D.Gallery will be displaying geometrically engineered kinetic art by Dutch artist, Jennifer Townley.

Townley’s art features shapes and forms with constantly evolving patterns that are continually being distorted and transformed. The exhibition entitled ‘Perpetual Transience II’ will introduce Townley’s artistic foray into kinetic sculptures.

« Asinas II », Unique piece
130×110×50cm – 206,000 AED

ARTISTIC PROCESS

Enchanted since childhood by geometric shapes and qualified with a degree in art from the Royal Academy of Fine Art in The Hague (2008), Townley's art derives from her fascination with science, with an emphasis on physics, engineering, and mathematics.

Her interest led her to discover the works of fellow Dutchman, M. C. Escher, quite possibly the most famous graphic artist in the world. His “impossible” sketches and repetitive patterns inspired her to explore the geometric side of art.

Besides her love for mechanics, Townley is also a student of how we perceive the world around us. Optical illusions are a good example of how our brains try to fit confusing visual information into known mental frameworks.

Our attention is jarred by chaos while order generally brings us peace; Townley likes to create sculptures that produce repetitive movements with alternating moments of chaos and order, which result in the observer feeling alternating tension and relief, creating an almost hypnotic effect on the viewer.

« Colorola », Unique piece
160×160×20 cm – 206,000 AED

KINETIC SCULPTURES

“The M.A.D. Gallery was specifically created to welcome artists like Jennifer Townley. Artists who not only have given their life to beautiful kinetic art, but also craft every single part of their art themselves.
When I asked Jennifer why she virtually only creates “piece unique” art pieces, knowing the incredibly time- consuming complex engineering and craftsmanship which goes into each, she sighed and answered “I know everyone tells me to create series, it makes more business sense, but I just am not interested in creating twice the same piece”. Jennifer Townley is the “real thing” and we salute her incredible integrity and talent.”
Maximilian Büsser

The peaceful feeling these silent, moving sculptures emit is a quality that art so rarely bestows. At any angle, at any distance, Townley’s kinetic works are charming and thought provoking – and may be of particular interest to those interested in horology

Showcasing five unique limited-edition art pieces that generate repetitive movements and changing patterns designed to subtly interfere with the spectator's own patterns of thought, Jennifer Townley’s exhibition will run from September 18th – January 18th, 2019 in M.A.D.Gallery, Dubai Mall.